This is a very common question we receive from our clients which we would like to address on this blog. We all know that top business schools receive thousands of applications from candidates from all over the world. So the admissions office wouldn’t possibly have time to carefully read every single document – especially letters of recommendation – right? While it is likely that once in a while an admissions officer might cut corners and skim or simply overlook a recommendation letter, we believe the vast majority of recommendation letters will be read carefully and that admissions officers really do value the opinions and information that your recommenders’ provide.
But don’t just take our word for it!
Take a look at the email below that the Purdue Krannert School of Management admissions office recently sent to potential Krannert applicants. This email makes it abundantly clear that the Krannert admissions office very much cares about and relies on the recommendation that your manager/professor can provide.
Dear Applicant,
You’ve tracked down your old boss or coworker, reminded them (perhaps a few times) that you’re under a deadline. Then you’ve collected them and sent them in. But does our admissions team actually read all those letters?
Absolutely.
In fact, they’re an incredibly important part of your application. We place a significant value on what your colleagues have to say about your work ethic, interpersonal skills, and leadership potential. The recommendation letter is unique because it is one of the only components of the application that is not in direct control of the applicant. Strong recommendation letters are written by someone who knows you well and can articulate your strengths as well as the areas in which you can improve. We prefer recommendation letters come from a professional (as opposed to a personal) contact, preferably a direct supervisor. We also prefer the letters be as detailed as possible, offering specific examples illustrating your qualifications.
It’s also important to know that we strongly discourage letters of recommendation from anyone who does not know the applicant well – even if they are a person of prominence. On occasion, we will call references if we have any questions about an applicant or would like additional information about anything written in a letter of recommendation.
As always, we are here to help. Contact us anytime with questions or to speak with an admissions program manager. Sincerely,
Andrae Sailes Associate Director of Admissions
Purdue MBA & Master’s Programs
In our next post we will address some recommendation letter myths and provide tips in how to ensure your letter provides the type of information that the admissions office will value.